Post Properties, Inc. (NYSE: PPS), an Atlanta-based real estate
investment trust (the "Company”), today announced that its operating
partnership, Post Apartment Homes, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership”),
amended its $300 million unsecured syndicated revolving line of credit
facility and its $30 million unsecured cash management line of credit
facility. The Operating Partnership also entered into a new $300 million
unsecured bank term loan facility, under which it currently has $100
million of outstanding borrowings, with $200 million of additional
borrowing availability through July 17, 2012.
The amended credit facility, provided by a syndicate of eleven financial
institutions and arranged by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan
Securities LLC, provides for a $300 million unsecured revolving line of
credit which has an initial four-year term maturing in January 2016,
with a one-year extension option. The new credit facility amends the
Operating Partnership’s existing $300 million unsecured revolving credit
facility. The amended credit facility has a current stated interest rate
of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.40% and requires the
payment of annual facility fees currently equal to 0.30% of the
aggregate loan commitments. The credit facility provides for the
interest rate and facility fee rate to be adjusted up or down based on
changes in the credit ratings of the Operating Partnership’s senior
unsecured debt. The credit facility contains representations, financial
and other affirmative and negative covenants, events of defaults and
remedies typical for this type of facility.
The amended unsecured cash management line of credit facility with Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A., provides for a $30 million unsecured line of credit
which has an initial four-year term maturing in January 2016, with a
one-year extension option. The new credit agreement amends the Operating
Partnership’s existing $30 million unsecured revolving cash management
line. The cash management line carries pricing and terms, including
financial covenants, substantially consistent with those of the amended
syndicated credit facility described above.
The new unsecured bank term loan facility, provided by a syndicate of
eight financial institutions and arranged by Wells Fargo Securities,
LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.,
provides for a $300 million unsecured bank term loan which has an
initial six-year term maturing in January 2018, with two six-month
extension options. The term loan facility has a current stated interest
rate of LIBOR plus 1.90% and requires the payment of unused facility
fees equal to 0.25% of the aggregate undrawn loan commitments through
July 17, 2012. The credit facility provides for the interest rate to be
adjusted up or down based on changes in the credit ratings of the
Operating Partnership’s senior unsecured debt. The credit facility
contains representations, financial and other affirmative and negative
covenants, events of defaults and remedies typical for this type of
facility, and which are substantially consistent with those of the
amended syndicated credit facility described above. The Operating
Partnership separately entered into interest rate swap agreements to fix
the variable interest cost associated with this term loan facility,
resulting in an initial effective average fixed interest rate, once
fully drawn, of approximately 3.44%.
In December 2011, the Operating Partnership used $135 million of
borrowings under its revolving credit facility and available cash to
finance the prepayment of $184.7 million on six multi-family fixed rate
notes, each with the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation loan program
as lender as well as the payment of related prepayment premiums. The
$100 million borrowed under the new term loan facility at closing was
used to pay down a portion of the outstanding balance under the
revolving credit facility and to pay related fees and expenses. The
remaining $200 million available under the term loan facility is
available to be used for general business purposes, including the
repayment of approximately $95.7 million of 5.45% senior unsecured notes
that mature in June 2012 and approximately $53.7 million of 5.50%
secured mortgage notes that become open for prepayment at par in October
2012.
Said Chris Papa, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company, "We were pleased that we were able to take advantage of the
current unsecured bank financing environment to reduce the Company’s
blended cost of capital and to pre-fund some of our near-dated debt
maturities. These steps are consistent with our strategy to maintain a
strong, liquid balance sheet and improve our credit metrics over time.”
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release may constitute
"forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and
the Company’s future performance, as well as management’s expectations,
beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. Examples of
such statements in this press release include, expectations regarding
the use of proceeds from the term loan facility. All forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual events to differ materially from those projected.
Management believes that these forward-looking statements are
reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on such
statements. These statements are based on current expectations and speak
only as of the date of such statements. There are a number of important
factors that could cause the Company’s actual results and its
expectations to differ materially from those described in the Company’s
forward-looking statements, including those included under the caption
"Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2010, and as may be discussed in subsequent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risk factors discussed
in the Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors” are specifically
incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new
information or otherwise.
About Post Properties
Post Properties, founded 40 years ago, is a leading developer and
operator of upscale multifamily communities. The Company’s mission is
delivering superior satisfaction and value to its residents, associates,
and investors, with a vision of being the first choice in quality
multifamily living. Operating as a real estate investment trust
("REIT”), the Company focuses on developing and managing Post® branded
resort-style garden and high density urban apartments. Post Properties
is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and has operations in ten markets
across the country.
Post Properties has interests in 21,658 apartment units in 58
communities, including 1,747 apartment units in five communities held in
unconsolidated entities and 1,568 apartment units in five communities
currently under development. The Company is also selling luxury for-sale
condominium homes in two communities through a taxable REIT subsidiary.
